Davidson College Residence Life Office Policies and Procedures for Students
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Davidson College Residence Life Office Policies and Procedures for Students
2 Contents Residence Life Office: General Purpose and Principles ................................................................................ 4 Section 1. Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Student Acknowledgement and Agreement. ........................................................................................... 5 COVID-19 Updates. ................................................................................................................................... 6 Assignments and Rates. ............................................................................................................................ 8 Period of Residential Housing Eligibility. .................................................................................................. 9 Section 2. Expectations for Residence Halls and Apartments ................................................................... 10 Alcohol. ................................................................................................................................................... 10 Alteration of Rooms and Apartments. .................................................................................................... 11 Appliances, Electrical Devices, and Personal Items. ............................................................................... 11 Bicycles. ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Cleanliness. ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Common Areas........................................................................................................................................ 15 Damages.................................................................................................................................................. 16 Drugs. ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Early Arrivals and Late Stays. .................................................................................................................. 17 Fire Safety. .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Flags and Banners. .................................................................................................................................. 20 Furniture. ................................................................................................................................................ 21 Health and Medical Needs. ..................................................................................................................... 22 Health and Safety Inspections. ............................................................................................................... 23 Hosts. ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 Malfunctioning and Broken Items. ......................................................................................................... 24 Martin Court Apartment Housing Agreement. ....................................................................................... 25 Noise. ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Occupancy. .............................................................................................................................................. 26 Pets. ........................................................................................................................................................ 27 Responding to Staff Inquiries. ................................................................................................................. 27 Right of Entry. ......................................................................................................................................... 27 Room Changes. ....................................................................................................................................... 28 RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
3 Safety and Security (Access). .................................................................................................................. 29 Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESA). ......................................................................... 31 Smoking................................................................................................................................................... 32 Social Responsibility. ............................................................................................................................... 33 Solicitation. ............................................................................................................................................. 33 Sports in Hallways and Common Areas. ................................................................................................. 34 Storage. ................................................................................................................................................... 34 Substance-Free Housing. ........................................................................................................................ 35 Unauthorized Access............................................................................................................................... 35 Vacancies. ............................................................................................................................................... 36 Weapons. ................................................................................................................................................ 36 Section 3. Housing Policy Infractions ......................................................................................................... 38 Procedures of Housing Policy Infractions ............................................................................................... 38 Possible Sanctions for Housing Policy Infractions................................................................................... 39 Appeals.................................................................................................................................................... 42 RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
4 Residence Life Policies and Procedures for Residents Residence Life Office: General Purpose and Principles The Residence Life Office (RLO) at Davidson College is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and welcoming residential environment that supports and enhances academic performance and social development for all residents. Through their experiences in the residential community, Davidson students will gain the knowledge, awareness, and skills to lead ethical, inclusive lives. RLO seeks to promote the establishment of residential communities of mutual respect, learning, and development. The college provides educational, social, housing, and employment opportunities to all students on an equal basis. The Residence Life Office is a part of the Division of Student Life. The Residence Life Professional staff includes the following positions: • Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life • Associate Director of Residence Life • Coordinator for Budgets and Facilities • Housing Assignments Coordinator • Assistant Director for Selection and Training • 3 Area Coordinators (ACs) Residence Life student leaders (Hall Counselors (HCs) for first-year students and Resident Advisors (RAs) for upperclass students) are assigned to residence halls and apartment buildings and provide support, programming, and referrals. The professional staff selects, trains, and supervises the Residence Life student leaders, responds to disciplinary matters in the residence halls, and provides counseling referral and conflict management. The Residence Life Peer Supervisor is a student position that provides support, programming, and referrals to HCs in one of the residential areas. RLO handles all room assignments, manages room and damage billing, coordinates social and educational programming in the residential communities, serves as a liaison between residents and maintenance staff, and responds to all housing needs. These policies and procedures cover the expectations and responsibilities for students residing in residence halls and apartments. Ignorance of these codes and RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
5 policies does not constitute any excuse for violations. These policies and procedures provide information students need in order to have a safe and enjoyable residential experience. If residents have any questions that these pages do not address, they should inquire with a Residence Life Professional Staff member. Section 1. Overview Davidson College is a four-year residential community and all students are expected to live on-campus all four years. Only full-time Davidson students in good financial standing are eligible to live in the residence halls and apartments during the academic year; students who withdraw mid-semester must move out within 48 hours of their withdrawal notice. Students may not sublet or rent out an on- campus residential space to anyone else. The Residence Life Office assigns students to rooms. The College reserves the right to reassign a student as necessary. Reasons for a reassignment include consolidating vacant spaces, managing a facility repair, as result of judicial action, for the safety and well-being of students, and/or administratively at the discretion of the Assistant Dean / Director of Residence Life. Student Acknowledgement and Agreement. Davidson College students agree to abide by all rules and regulations set for in this document (including the RLO website and addendum documents) regardless if the students live in the residential spaces (residents) or live outside of the residential spaces (students). These policies and procedures may be amended at any time. Failure to meet these expectations will result in consequences, and those consequences vary according to the severity of the infraction. Each policy in Section 2 of this document includes typical consequences for failing to meet expectations; other consequences may be put in place by RLO in unusual situations or where a consequence is not explicitly stated. Section 3 of this document explains the Housing Policy Infractions process. The residential spaces typically come with a room key, bed, dresser, closet or wardrobe, desk, desk chair, cable television connection, and internet connection. All room furniture must remain in each resident's room and no items may be stored or left in residential hallways. Public hallways, hall bathrooms, lounges, laundry, and vending facilities are available for residents use and are cleaned regularly by the Building Services staff. Residence hall lounge typically have a television with cable service. Students are responsible for maintaining a healthy and safe environment by using trashcans provided in the residence halls and by keeping all personal belongings out RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
6 of hallways and lounges. The Building Services staff takes care of normal daily cleaning, but residents must take care of any messes for which they are responsible. Residents and staff must work together to contribute to a pleasant community in which to live and study. Davidson College and the Residence Life Office are not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of any personal property. Residents are strongly encouraged to carry insurance to protect their personal property. We recommend that you verify that you are covered under your parents’ or guardians’ home or renter’s insurance policy, and if not, purchase student rental insurance. A 1-year policy is available for as little as $66 from NSSI. More information about NSSI can be found in their brochure (click here) or their video (click here). The Residence Life Office supports the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative and encourages students to engage in entrepreneurial activity while recognizing limitations on that ability in the residence halls and apartments. Infrequent commercial transactions are permitted in private residential spaces, if they comply with Davidson College policies. The use of common areas for commercial activity is prohibited. COVID-19 Updates. To meet expectations to remain residential for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semester, it is imperative to adhere to health guidelines regarding COVID-19. The following expectations and policies within this section supersede like policies in Section 2 of this document until further notice. Masks and Face Coverings Davidson College has adopted new public health standards, many of which reference masks or face-coverings. All other students, faculty, and staff are required to use appropriate face-coverings, which can include either commercially produced or homemade cloth face- coverings, provided it fully covers the nose and the mouth, fits snugly against the sides of the face so there are no gaps, can be secured to prevent slipping, and does not have a valve or vent that releases exhaled air. Students, faculty, and staff must wear face coverings in all indoor spaces except a.) when they are alone in an enclosed private office or alone in another enclosed room where they do not expect to be disturbed, or b.) in a private living space, or c.) eating in dining facilities. Students, faculty, and staff must wear face coverings outdoors when within 6 feet of others. Masks are always to be worn in the common areas of the residence halls (e.g. hallways, stairwells, common areas, etc.) even if you are going to the restroom. RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
7 The college will provide two, washable cloth masks to each student. Additional masks are available for purchase in the Davidson College Store. Students with disabilities who would like to request accommodations should contact Beth Bleil, Director of Academic Access and Disability Resources, at bebleil@davidson.edu or 704- 894-2129. Hosting, Guests, Occupancy, and Visitation Community health circumstances are fluid. The following policy allows students agency to manage guests while adhering to guidelines and expectations. Until further notice, the residence hall guest policy has changed, and residents cannot have guests in their residence hall room. This means that only the residents assigned to the single, double, suite, and apartment are allowed within that space. Again, college personnel (e.g. Campus Police, RLO professional and student leaders, Physical Plant, and Building Services) are allowed entrance when addressing concerns. Residents can connect with their guests in spaces that allow students to adhere to the guidelines. Examples of these locations are outside or in a common area that allows for distancing. Students are not permitted in a residence hall where they are not assigned unless they are the one guest of a person living there. If not a resident of that building, the guest should be escorted by the person they are visiting. Non-family members, non-Davidson student guests are prohibited. Community health circumstances are fluid and changes might need to be made to these expectations, which could include limiting residence hall rooms and apartments to only those students assigned to that room or apartment, and limiting a residence hall to only those students assigned to that building. Social gatherings in the residence hall To meet guidelines and college expectations, all parties are prohibited until further notice. This includes open and closed parties within any residential space. An open party is a gathering with high traffic coming and going from the apartment, with many people known/unknown well by residents, often with an open front door. A closed party is a gathering with more than 4-5 non-residents in the apartment. The use of the open consumption area located at the Armfield Courtyard is prohibited to adhere to the closure of all open consumption areas on campus. If applicable, students are permitted to use identified common area for studying and sitting if the social distancing guidelines are adhered. Use of Common Areas (lounges, kitchens, fitness center, etc.) To meet our increased residential needs, we converted all eligible lounges into private residential spaces, and as such, they will not be available for community use. RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
8 All lounges converted to student bedrooms will be closed, even if not currently assigned, to assist in adhering to guidelines regarding social gatherings in the residence halls. The Chidsey Fitness Center is closed until further notice. The kitchens located on the common lounges in Chidsey Hall North and South, the 1 st floor of Duke Hall, the 1st floor of Little Hall, and the basement of Tomlinson Hall are closed until further notice. The kitchens located on the main lobby of Chidsey Hall and the 1 st floors of Irwin, Akers, and Knox are open for usage of refrigerator and microwave use only with a limit of one person utilizing the space at a time. Assignments and Rates. The Trustees of Davidson College set annual room rates. The semester room rent covers housing from the time when the residence halls open (“Move-In”) until they are officially closed (“Closing”) each semester. After the tenth day of class, refunds are not issued for room rent. Refunds are not issued for students who are evicted from on-campus housing as a result of a disciplinary action. Davidson requires all currently enrolled students to live in college housing if space is available. Housing assignments are conducted via the First-year Pairing Process (for incoming first-year residents) and the housing selection lottery process. Each year, every student is randomly assigned an undisclosed lottery number according to student classification (based on credit hours determined by the Office of the Registrar), with rising seniors having the best numbers and so on. Residence Life strictly abides by the Registrar's Office determination of class. Outside of random number generation, no other factors (i.e. current housing location, GPA, conduct, last year’s lottery number, etc.) affect the undisclosed lottery number assigned to a student. Lottery numbers are used to determine the order of housing lottery selection and the order in which off-campus permission is granted. If the student has applied with a roommate or in a group, the group’s lottery numbers are averaged, and the average becomes the lottery number for the group. The lottery number is used to determine the order for which students will participate in the specific lottery. Once a student/group has applied for and been notified they have been accepted into a specific housing process, they are removed from the possibility of applying for any subsequent lottery processes. At times, there are more enrolled students in town than beds on campus, and at those times RLO extends off-campus permission to a number of students beyond the number of on-campus beds. The college grants off-campus permission to upperclassmen based on lottery number and campus occupancy numbers. Off- campus permission is also granted in limited cases, specifically: students with a RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
9 housing need which cannot be met on-campus, students who are married, and students who are 25 years or older. Off-campus permission is not granted for students whose families live close to campus, nor for financial need. Any student who moves off-campus without permission from RLO is charged a penalty equal to one semester double room rate. Students with off-campus permission will not have the same access to residential resources as on-campus students. Residents assigned to an apartment or room which is not at capacity will only be charged the specified room rate (e.g., a person living alone in a double room will only be charged a double room rate) and the space may be filled as needed by RLO. Residents do not have the option to “buy out” a vacancy so that others cannot move into the space. Residents who withdraw or go on personal leave during the semester must checkout of the residential space within 48 hours of their withdrawal notice. Due to a lack of housing on campus, housing is not guaranteed. In the event of minimal available bed space, lounges may be used, but in some rare cases students may be asked to live off campus. Period of Residential Housing Eligibility. Room rent covers the period from the time when the residence halls open until the time when they are officially closed. These dates vary each year (see below for more details) but coincide with the semester academic calendar. During the academic year, the residence halls remain open during all breaks other than winter break. Residence halls close only for winter break in which residents are not permitted in the residence halls. All residents are required to vacate campus during winter break, beginning at noon following the last day of exams. Students leaving after hall closing time are subject up to a $250.00 late departure fee. Residents may not occupy their rooms any time before the official opening of the halls (usually 9:00 am on the Saturday before classes begin). The Security Access System is designed to deactivate all students' cards at winter break and at the end of the school year. Residents who are planning flights during hall closing time should make travel reservations well in advance to avoid conflicts with this policy. Laundry and dining services are not available during winter break. In the fall semester, typically Move-In for first-year residents begins at 9 am on the Thursday before the first day of class; for upperclass residents, Move-In begins at 9 am on the Saturday before the first day of class. Note: for fall 2020, the Move- in process changed to meet necessary guidelines for testing and density on campus. In the spring semester, Move-In begins for all residents at 9 am on the Saturday before the first day of class. Closing for the spring semester is at 5 pm on RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
10
Commencement Sunday for non-graduating residents; Closing for graduating
seniors is at noon on the Monday following Commencement.
All residents must follow check-in and checkout procedures at the beginning and
end of each contract period (academic year or semester) or upon departure at any
point during the year. RLO will provide the check-in and check-out process through
the RLO website, floor meetings, emails, and hall postings. In addition, students
who change rooms at any time throughout the year must complete the process as
specified by the RLO Professional Staff.
Section 2. Expectations for Residence Halls and Apartments
The philosophy of Davidson College’s residential living is one of “freedom with
responsibility” which is an extension of the honor system. Policies and procedures
set high expectations for residents. The enforcement of these expectations helps
students learn community responsibility, increases safety, and creates a more
pleasant living environment. The detailed expectations, including consequences for
violating these expectations, are set forth below. Any behavior that violates the
College’s Code of Responsibility will be referred to the Office of the Dean of
Students for further proceedings. Any student who damages College property,
whether intentionally or accidentally, may be fined and/or may be responsible for
paying the replacement, repair, or cleaning costs.
Alcohol.
• Per the student Code of Responsibility and North Carolina state law,
Individuals under 21 years of age may not consume, possess, provide,
sell, enable access to, and/or purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol.
• Individuals 21 years of age or older may consume alcohol inside private
residence hall rooms, Martin Court apartments (including on apartment
porches), and in the Armfield courtyard; they may play drinking games in
those locations as well. They are responsible for NOT providing/
selling/enabling access to alcohol to underage students; NOT permitting their
ID to be used by others; NOT driving any vehicle (including bikes and golf
carts) while impaired; and NOT consuming alcohol in public areas of
residence halls (lounges, hallways, bathrooms, stairwells, surrounding areas,
etc.) or outside of designated outdoor areas.
• “Common containers” of alcohol (kegs, punch bowls, Jell-O, beer balls,
trashcans, funnels, etc.) are prohibited.
• In Martin Court, alcohol in glass bottles may only be consumed inside
apartments.
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202111
College policies regarding the possession, use, and distribution of alcohol adhere to
laws of the State of North Carolina. High risk drinking is a significant public health
issue with serious health and safety consequences to both individuals and the
Davidson community. Students are strongly encouraged to use protective
behaviors when they are legally consuming alcohol to reduce negative
consequences.
Alcohol found in the possession of underage individuals is disposed of and the
students in possession are responsible for pouring it out in the presence of an RLO
staff member. Alcohol found unattended in common areas or in the rooms of only
underage residents is confiscated and disposed of by RLO professional staff or
Campus Police.
Alleged violations of the Code of Responsibility related to alcohol are referred to the
Dean of Students Office or to RLO consistent with the Code of Responsibility and
the Davidson College Alcohol policy.
See Davidson College Alcohol Policy in the Student Handbook for additional
information.
Alteration of Rooms and Apartments.
Alteration of rooms and apartments by students is prohibited, including creating
holes in walls or ceilings, wallpapering, installing lighting, painting rooms, removing
doors, removing security window screens, moving ceiling tiles, and installing wall to
wall carpeting.
Students found in violation of the Alteration policy are billed for the repair or
replacement costs, and/or may be sent through the Housing Policy Infractions
Process (see Section 3. Housing Policy Infractions).
Appliances, Electrical Devices, and Personal Items.
Many appliances, electrical devices, and personal items make sense to have in the
residence halls while others create fire safety hazards and therefore are prohibited.
The residence hall rooms have the capacity for 16 amps/2000 watts maximum
at any time. Martin Court apartment kitchens and common area kitchens are
designed to accommodate some additional appliances and electrical devices, so
some items are permitted there that are not allowed in private residence hall and
apartment rooms.
• Permitted in the residence hall room:
o One per room
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202112
▪ one Microfridge unit or (one refrigerator [2 amps 120 volts
maximum] and one microwave [700 watts maximum]) MUST BE
PLUGGED DIRECTLY INTO WALL
▪ coffee makers
▪ hot air popcorn poppers
▪ slow cookers/crock pots
▪ blenders
▪ de-humidifiers/air purifiers
▪ vacuum cleaners
o One per resident
▪ hair dryers
▪ electric shavers/razors
▪ clothing iron (with auto-shutoff)
▪ power strips/surge protectors (must have “surge protected” on
the UL label or on the device).
• Permitted in Martin Court Apartments only (no more than one of each
per apartment):
o one Microfridge unit (or one refrigerator [2 amps 120 volts maximum])
o one microwave (700 – 1100 watts)
o open-coil burners (hot plates)
o griddles
o grills (including Foreman-type grills)
o hot air cookers, including air fryers
o toaster
o pressure cooker
o instant pot
o deep fryer
o hibachis/grills designed for indoor use
• Prohibited in all residence halls and apartments:
o incendiary agents: including candles, incense, hookah, fireworks,
butane torches, etc.
o combustibles: including lighter fluid, motor oil, propane, gasoline,
charcoal, kerosene, vehicles that hold fuel like scooters and
motorcycles, etc.
o fire and safety hazards: including extension cords, live trees (e.g.,
Christmas, palm), paper-covered room doors, fabric hanging over
beds, large stacks of newspaper, halogen lights, electric blankets,
hoverboards, fog machines, additional door locks (e.g. chain or
deadbolt)
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202113
o types of appliances and furniture: including large household
appliances, waterbeds, homemade lofts, sleeper sofas, large charcoal
grills, gas grills, etc.
o other items (including dart boards (including magnetic dartboards),
weapons (see Weapons for more information), etc.)
Residents found in violation of the prohibited possessions will be required to
immediately remove the prohibited item from the residence hall or apartment;
prohibited possessions found unattended will be removed by RLO staff. In addition,
residents may be sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section
3. Housing Policy Infractions) and charged a $50 fine.
See Fire Safety for additional information.
Bicycles.
Bicycles must be registered with Public Safety when brought onto campus. They
may be stored by properly securing them to bicycle racks or inside student rooms;
they may not be left in hallways, lounges, stairwells, on porches or attached to
outdoor objects other than bicycle racks. Bicycles must be removed at the end of
the spring semester unless the owner is living on-campus over the summer.
Improperly stored bicycles create a variety of issues, including; safety hazards
during emergencies; blocking public walkways and limiting egress; impeding
pedestrian and vehicle traffic; damage to College property; limiting the ability of
building services to clean common areas; and limiting the ability of grounds staff to
properly maintain exterior spaces.
Bicycle registration is free and can be completed on the Office of Public Safety’s
website. Bicycles only need to be registered the first time they are brought to
campus (not each year) unless the bicycle is sold or transferred to another person.
Students living on-campus over the summer need to re-register bicycles for the
summer.
Bicycles that are not properly registered, secured, or in specified locations are
subject to any of the following; being secured; citation; or, confiscation by Public
Safety. Bicycles removed at the end of the spring semester will be stored for up to
90 days. All unclaimed bikes will be disposed of after 90 days. If a violation of this
policy results in damage, the Damage policy applies.
More information on Bicycle policy can be found on the Office of Public Safety’s
website.
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202114
Cleanliness.
• Cleanliness of private spaces is the responsibility of those assigned to those
spaces. In Martin Court, this includes porches and patios.
• Trash and recycling should be removed promptly by students and disposed
of only at the designated locations.
• Pests and insect problems should be reported to RLO promptly by emailing
rlo@davidson.edu. Residents should not treat pests or insect issues
themselves.
Residents are responsible for providing cleaning materials and equipment needed to
clean their rooms, private bathrooms, apartments, and patios. RLO provides
vacuum cleaners in the residence halls but not in apartments. College-owned
vacuum cleaners are stored in common areas (typically lounges or a hall closet)
and must be returned promptly. If a vacuum cleaner isn’t working properly, email
rlo@davidson.edu promptly so that it can be emptied or repaired (see
Malfunctioning and Broken Items for additional information). Residents are
responsible for the cleanliness of their room even if a vacuum cleaner is unavailable
or broken, which includes leaving a room clean when moving out.
Each residence hall has a designated location for trash and recycling. In Martin
Court, residents are required to remove trash and deposit it in receptacles behind
Armfield, Hart, and Jamieson. Trash is not permitted to remain on an apartment
porch. Cleaning up trash in common areas that cannot be attributed to an
individual or group of individuals may be billed back to the community or result in
other consequences for the community.
Residents can reduce their pest problems by regularly cleaning food residue and
sealing all food containers. RLO refers pest and insect issues to a pest control
technician who administers all treatment to monitor community safety; they come
to campus on Tuesday to spray in common areas as well as individual rooms, upon
request.
Failure to uphold expectations for cleanliness, trash, or recycling will result in the
resident being sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section 3.
Housing Policy Infractions) in addition to the following consequences for each
person associated with the living space:
• 1st offense – Warning letter.
• 2nd offense – Fine of $25.
• 3rd offense – 5 hours of College service and a $50 fine.
• 4th offense – Referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for Code of
Responsibility charges.
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202115
Biohazards present risks to both students and their environment. Biohazards
include, but are not limited to, blood, vomit, and other bodily fluids. A student who
discovers a biohazard in a residence hall should notify an RLO student leader
immediately. Building Services staff will ensure that the biohazard is safely cleaned.
Students responsible for biohazards as a result of policy infractions may incur
expenses for damage or cleaning charges assessed to Residence Life as well as
being sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section 3. Housing
Policy Infractions).
Common Areas.
Please refer to the COVID-19 Updates expectations in this document (see
Section 1). In the case of conflicting information, the expectations set in
COVID-19 Updates supersede the information in this policy until further
notice.
Common areas are spaces designated for community use and is assessible to many
or all students. The College cleans common areas regularly, but students are
responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
• Lounges are studying and social spaces. Lounge furniture must stay in its
designated lounge and non-College owned furniture may not be left in a
lounge. Personal belongings must be removed in a timely manner. Sleeping
in a lounge overnight or for an extended period is prohibited. Lounges may
not be reserved by residents for private gatherings.
• Common area kitchens are available to all residents and their guests.
Kitchens must be left clean, and that includes washed pots, pans, and
utensils; counters wiped down; and personal belongings put away. Food
stored in community refrigerators should be labeled with the owner’s name,
room number, and date, and disposed of promptly and properly.
• Community bathrooms designated with a specific gender sign may be used
by people who feel that designation aligns with their gender identity. Non-
designated community bathrooms are available for anyone to use.
• The fitness center in Chidsey Hall is managed by RLO, is available to all
students, and is open from 6 am until 1 am daily from move-in until closing.
Fitness equipment should be wiped down after each use. Towels are
available but should remain in the fitness center. When finished, equipment
should be set up for the next user, including placing dumbbells on racks.
• Laundry rooms have no-charge self-service washers and dryers that are
open 24 hours a day. Washers require high-efficiency (HE) detergent.
Laundry machine availability and load status can be viewed online at
www.laundryview.com. Clothes should be promptly removed from washers
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202116
and dryers; clothing that has been abandoned in laundry rooms are removed
periodically and donated to local aid agencies.
• No personal items may be left in hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms, or
common bathrooms.
If a lounge, common area kitchen, fitness center, or laundry room has repeated
issues, RLO may close the space for up to one week in order to address the issues.
If a space needs to be closed again, it may be closed for up to one month at a time.
The first time a common area has personal items which are not removed in a timely
manner, RLO will email the residents a reminder to remove the belongings.
Subsequent violations may result in RLO confiscating and holding those personal
items for up to one month or disposal of the personal items.
Repeated or egregious violations of the common area policy may result in a
resident being placed in “poor standing with RLO” for up to one year (see Section 3.
Additional Information). Furthermore, repeated or egregious violations of the
lounges, common area kitchens, or fitness center portion of this policy may result in
a student not being allowed to use that type of space for up to one semester.
Damages.
Damages, or the physical harm which impairs the value, usefulness, or normal
function of a building or a College-owned object, is prohibited and should be
reported immediately to the Residence Life Office or Campus Police. A person who
damages College-owned property is responsible for that damage, whether it was
intentional or accidental. Damages attributed to an individual or group of
individuals will be billed to the individual or the group of individuals on a pro rata
basis. Damages not attributed to an individual may be billed back to the
community. Activities which are likely to cause damage are prohibited.
Residence halls and apartments are safer and more pleasant living environments
when things function properly and look attractive. Residents have a responsibility
to help minimize damages by taking responsibility for their own actions and by
holding peers accountable.
Students who are painting or working with messy materials in and around the
residence halls need to put down a drop cloth, newspaper, or cardboard first. This
includes projects outside where spray paint can leave lasting marks on walkways or
kill plant life. Residents can get an appropriate cover by emailing rlo@davidson.edu
first.
Damages should be reported to RLO by emailing rlo@davidson.edu. RLO staff
members will investigate unclaimed damages and make every attempt to hold the
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202117 individual(s) causing the damage responsible. Damages that cannot be attributed to an individual may be billed back to the residents of an entire residence hall and/or floor and/or apartment. In some cases, RLO may redirect a community’s programming funds to offset unclaimed community damages and put building access limitations in place so that new, unclaimed damages can be attributed back to the residents of that building or their guests (see Safety and Security (Access) for more information about access limitations). A student who immediately reports damages and takes responsibility for them will most often be billed for the repair, replacement and/or cleaning costs, but not may be sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section 3. Housing Policy Infractions) nor referred to the Dean of Students Office with additional Code of Responsibility charges for the damage. Students who are determined to have caused damages but did not report the damage in a timely manner and/or take responsibility for the damage will be billed for the repair, replacement, and/or cleaning costs, and will be sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section 3. Housing Policy Infractions) and/or referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for Code of Responsibility charges. See Malfunctioning and Broken Items for additional information. Drugs. Drugs that are illegal or are misused are prohibited. Possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited. Students who are prescribed drugs are responsible for not transferring the prescribed drug to any other person, using it as directed, storing it securely, and storing it in a properly labeled container. Students should report missing prescription drugs to the Office of Public Safety immediately. College policies regarding the possession, use, and distribution of controlled substances (drugs) adhere to Federal, State and local laws. Many controlled substances have a high potential for abuse or serious medical consequences for misuse. Use of illegal drugs and misuse of drugs can contribute to behavior that threatens the safety of campus. The Office of Public Safety is contacted immediately when there is suspicion or knowledge of a violation of the drug policy. The Office of Public Safety determines if they will press charges and/or refer alleged violations of the drug policy to the Office of the Dean of Students. Early Arrivals and Late Stays. The semester room rent covers housing from the date when the residence halls officially open (“Move-In”) until they are officially closed (“Closing”) each semester. Limited groups (i.e. in-season athletic teams, orientation leaders, etc.) RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
18 are given permission to move-in early (“Early Arrival”) or stay past closing (“Late Stay”). Residents who arrive on campus without approval or stay past closing without approval are subject to fines. Prior to move-in, offices across campus are preparing for students. Residents who are granted permission to be an early arrival have “opening responsibilities,” which includes a leadership group with duties during opening and orientation, participation in a pre-orientation program, or participation as an in-season varsity athlete. Additional residents living on-campus shift the focus away from the preparation for opening and orientation, and the College intentionally limits access for residents without opening responsibilities. Each year RLO receives early arrival requests from residents who are not part of an approved early arrival group. Most early arrival and all requests to only drop off items in the spaces will be denied. If a request is approved, there will be a $70 per night charge placed on the student account. This charge includes requests from individuals in approved groups who wish to arrive earlier. Students who arrive on campus without approval before the posted opening date will be charged a $250 fine plus the $70 per night fee on their student account and may also face additional consequences. Residents classified as international students are often given permission to arrive 24 hours before their scheduled move-in date/time to accommodate international travel; eligible residents must request permission to arrive early by emailing both the International Student Programs and rlo@davidson.edu by July 15th for fall and by December 1st for spring. Students who live on-campus over the summer and have a fall semester on- campus housing assignment are given the option to continue living in the residence halls from the end of summer until the residence halls open (“August Move-Over”). August move-overs are charged $35 per night from the end of the summer semester until move-in; the $35 per night is waived for any night where they have an “opening responsibility.” Typically, students move into their fall assignment a few days after the end of summer. Once a resident moves into his or her fall assignment, the resident cannot check-out and then check-in again later; the resident is billed continuously. Information about Move-In and Move-Out dates and times can be found in Section 1. Overview. RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
19
Fire Safety.
• Do not tamper with or misuse fire safety equipment, which includes smoke
detectors, fire extinguishers, pull stations, lighted exit signs, sirens,
emergency lighting, and door closers.
• Do not touch sprinkler heads or hang decorations on or near them, as they
contain sensitive instruments which can be set off unintentionally if
disturbed.
• Report damaged or missing fire safety equipment immediately to Campus
Police. Do not tamper with or remove fire safety equipment.
• Immediately evacuate buildings when the fire alarm is activated. Stay at
least 100 feet away from the building until permission to reenter is given by
the Fire Department or Campus Police.
• “Cooking out” near residence halls is prohibited; this includes on Martin
Court patios. Storing gas and charcoal grills inside residence halls and
apartments is prohibited.
• Plug Microfridges, hairdryers, and other appliances with a high electrical draw
directly into the wall outlet instead of a power strip/surge protector.
• Occupying spaces that serve as public walkways (porches, patios, stairwells)
and blocking egress is prohibited.
Fire safety policies protect both individuals and the community.
A student who observes a fire or smoke in the residence halls should immediately
pull the manual fire station, evacuate the building, and call Campus Police when
they are safely outside the building. Students should always prioritize their
personal safety over extinguishing a fire.
Grills for “cooking out” are located throughout Martin Court and Chidsey Hall and
are for resident use. Martin Court residents may use small charcoal grills away
from buildings (20 feet or further), and when cooled, stored on their patios; gas
grills and large charcoal grills are prohibited. RLO and the Office of Public Safety
can authorize other areas or different equipment for “cooking out” for specific
events.
When the fire alarm sounds, students who fail to immediately evacuate a building,
or attempt to hide, or avoid evacuating will receive a $50 fine and will be referred
to the Office of the Dean of Students for Code of Responsibility charges.
Any student who tampers with or misuses fire safety equipment will receive a fine
of $250, incur any associated expenses for damage or cleaning, and will be referred
to the Office of the Dean of Students for Code of Responsibility charges. Any
student who activates a sprinkler head in a non-emergency, even unintentionally, is
RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/202120 responsible for damages and cleaning, and may be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for Code of Responsibility charges. Any student who intentionally sets a fire or causes a false fire alarm will be sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section 3. Housing Policy Infractions) in addition to the possibility of being evicted from the residence halls / apartments, referred to the Dean of Students Office for a Code of Responsibility charge, and/or charged criminally. See Appliances, Electrical Devices, and Personal Items for additional information. Flags and Banners. The Davidson College Statement of Purpose states “As a college that welcomes students, faculty, and staff from a variety of nationalities, ethnic groups, and traditions, Davidson values diversity, recognizing the dignity and worth of every person.” Flags and banners may be hung out of the windows of resident rooms and off Martin Court apartment porches, provided they are not in conflict with the above referenced principle. No more than one flag or banner may be displayed from a window or porch of an apartment at a time. These items must be in good condition and may be up to 3 feet by 5 feet in size. Flags and banners may not be displayed from common areas. Flags and banners must be registered with RLO prior to hanging them and may not be displayed until the registering person has received written notification from RLO and the permission of the roommate(s) or apartment-mates. Failure to register a flag or banner will result in the removal of that item by RLO until it has been registered and notification received. Items that may conflict with the Statement of Purpose will be referred to the Flag and Banner Committee (FBC) for prompt review, and the majority decision will determine outcome. Any member of the community who objects to a flag or banner may request the FBC review the item and/or have RLO facilitate a conversation between that individual and the person displaying the flag. The FBC consists of the four student members of the Committee on Campus and Religious Life (CCRL) who are elected by the student body, the Vice President of SGA, the Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life. Registration forms are available at the Residence Life Office. Completed registration forms are available for review by students, faculty, and staff. RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
21 Furniture. Furniture provided by the College must stay in the assigned room or apartment. Within private residential spaces, furniture may be arranged as desired provided it does not block egress or cause damage. Residents may bring most additional furniture other than homemade lofts, waterbeds, or bar cabinets. Apartments may have un-upholstered personal furniture on patios/porches provided it does not block egress or public walkways. All personal property must be removed at the end of the academic year. The College provides each resident with a bed, mattress, dresser, closet or wardrobe, desk, and desk chair; apartments also include a couch, a dining room table, and dining room seating/stools for the number of residents. Residence Life is transitioning away from providing additional bed furniture for lofting. For the areas currently approved to loft, components not in the room (including safety rails) are available through RLO. Many residents bring extra furnishings to compliment the college furniture and personalize the space, and this is permitted provided that the furniture is not potentially destructive, dangerous to person or property, or in conflict with the academic mission of the college. RLO is unable to store any furniture originally assigned to a room. Residents found in violation of this policy will be required to immediately return the furniture to the assigned space or immediately remove prohibited furniture. Additional violations may result in a student being sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section 3. Housing Policy Infractions). Students are billed for the replacement costs of lost or damaged college-owned furniture, or a portion of that cost for damaged furniture that can continue to be used. Furniture that is recovered outside of a room and cannot be attributed to a specific room or apartment will be split across nearby spaces that are missing that type of furniture, as will any repair or replacement costs. Replacement costs for furniture are: Loftable Bed – Bed Ends $75 each Loftable Bed – Bed Rails $35 each Loftable Bed – Bed Spring $100 Mattress – Twin $120 Mattress – Full $140 Dresser $250 Wardrobe $525 Small 3-Drawer Unit (apts) $215 Desk $275 RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
22 Desk Carrell $125 Desk Chair $200 Dining Table $300 Dining Chair $150 each Stool $50 each Sofa $600 Ottomans $240 Lounge Chair $550 End Table $250 Coffee Table – Oblong $250 Coffee Table – Round $600 Blinds $20 Flat Screen TV $500 Personal property found in rooms during check-out is removed and disposed of; students may be charged a fee for removal ($40 per hour of labor, with a $20 minimum). Health and Medical Needs. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Students are expected to carry out self-care obligations and to obtain treatment for medical needs. The Residence Life Office supports residents through short-term and long-term health and medical needs and is committed to supporting students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to report medical conditions with community implication to RLO promptly so we can provide support to both the individual student and the community. Requests for housing accommodation are made to the Office of Academic Access of Disability Resources (AADR) and should be made as soon as possible. Housing accommodations are determined by AADR and communicated to RLO. Whenever possible, residents should correspond with AADR at the beginning of a housing assignment process (i.e., with the housing preference form as a new student, in early spring at the beginning of lottery, when a student completes the housing preference form before going abroad). If a resident submits a new or sudden housing accommodation request to AADR after RLO has begun the assignment process, or one that requires an immediate change, RLO will take reasonable steps to accommodate the resident’s need. RLO will not reassign or relocate another resident to meet the need. RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
23 RLO takes student privacy very seriously. Professionals in RLO share limited health and medical information with HCs and RAs, and we encourage residents to share additional information directly with their RLO student leader so they might be most supportive. RLO works with residents before sharing any health or medical information with other residents. As necessary, RLO shares health information with other relevant offices (e.g., Campus Police, Physical Plant, Student Health Center). Health and Safety Inspections. Each semester, RLO conducts Health and Safety Inspections (HSI) in the residential spaces. HSIs provide an opportunity for residents and RLO student leaders to support the health and safety of the community. This is achieved by timely identification of items that may not be working in student spaces and quickly working to fix them. Additionally, HSIs allow the RLO student leaders the ability to address violations and students to remove prohibited appliances. During the check, RLO student leaders conduct a non-invasive scan of the room/apartment/suite/pod. They do not open drawers, refrigerators, or closets, but may move (or ask the resident to move) items blocking outlets. Students are encouraged to be present during the HSIs but are not required to be in the rooms during the inspections. Residence Life Professional Staff will notify residents at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the date of area specific HSI inspection. To prepare for the upcoming HSIs, residents should review the list of items approved/prohibited for the residential spaces. Here is the link for the items on the lists: http://www.davidson.edu/student-life/residence-life/new-students/what-to-bring. Hosts. Please refer to the COVID-19 Updates expectations in this document (see Section 1). In the case of conflicting information, the expectations set in COVID-19 Updates supersede the information in this policy until further notice. For the purposes of RLO’s policies and procedures, guests are Davidson students who are in a room or apartment other than where they are assigned; visitors are non-Davidson students. Hosts are responsible for the conduct (including damages) of their guests/visitors and informing them of College policies. Hosts need to ask permission of roommate(s) or apartment-mates before inviting guests/visitors into a room; a student may refuse entry to any person except his or her roommate(s). Guests/visitors may not become residents of a hall or apartment and are only permitted to stay up to 96 hours/4 nights per month without permission from RLO. RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
24 Hosts may request permission to have a guest/visitor stay beyond the 96 hours/4 nights per month by emailing rlo@davidson.edu and including the rationale for the request. Requests should be made before visitors arrive on campus. Policy violations by a guest/visitor may result in consequences for the host as if the host violated the policy themselves, and egregious or repeated policy violations by a visitor may result in that person being banned from campus. Violations of the 96 hours/4 nights per month limit may result in the removal of a guest/visitor from a room or apartment, and/or having a visitor banned from campus, and/or a host being sent through the Housing Policy Infractions Process (see Section 3. Housing Policy Infractions). Malfunctioning and Broken Items. Malfunctioning and broken items should be reported promptly to RLO when something College-owned is not working properly or is damaged. A person who damaged College-owned property is responsible for that damage, whether it was intentional or accidental. Routine or non-emergency maintenance requests should be reported to RLO by emailing rlo@davidson.edu. More urgent maintenance issues should be reported immediately; during business hours, call RLO (704-894-2188); after-hours and on weekends, call the RLO student leader area duty phone. Examples of urgent maintenance issues include any plumbing problems (leaking water, overflowing toilets), electrical problems (localized power outage), and issues that create ongoing safety concerns (a shattered window, exterior door card reader that isn’t securing). In most cases, work orders are completed within 24 to 48 business hours. If a reported problem has not been resolved with 48 business hours, students should submit a new email to rlo@davidson.edu; this is particularly helpful when the College officials believed an issue was fixed when it was not. Students should not complete repairs themselves. Students are not billed for repairs for “normal wear and tear;” students are billed for “irresponsible or malicious damages.” “Normal wear and tear” is defined as predictable issues that come up through an item’s intended use, and is often determined by looking at the relative maintenance issues of comparable items/spaces. See Damages for additional information. RLO Policies and Procedures Updated: 02/01/2021
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